Mark Jackson - SEWhttp://searchenginewatch.com/
mark-jacksonSEO Advice for the SMBThere have been very few things that have made SEO easier for the SMB, so what is a small business owner to do?http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2391216/seo-advice-for-the-smb
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2391216/seo-advice-for-the-smbMark JacksonWed, 21 Jan 2015 09:30:00 -0500Understanding Value From SEO EffortsTen years ago, we might have shown "success" based on a ranking report, or a list of things we'd "done" as an agency. Today, it’s different (and better).http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2383255/understanding-value-from-seo-efforts
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2383255/understanding-value-from-seo-effortsMark JacksonThu, 04 Dec 2014 07:30:00 -0500SEO Is No One-Trick PonyWhat exactly is SEO? It's certainly not any "one thing," but instead a combination of many factors that lead to a successful SEO strategy.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2373131/seo-is-no-one-trick-pony
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2373131/seo-is-no-one-trick-ponyMark JacksonWed, 01 Oct 2014 07:30:00 -0400Not Everything in Today's SEO Has to be OrganicSEO is now more about the amount and quality of the outreach you can do to pitch content to the right audience in order to grow exposure, shares, links and citations.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2358939/not-everything-in-todays-seo-has-to-be-organic
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2358939/not-everything-in-todays-seo-has-to-be-organicMark JacksonWed, 06 Aug 2014 08:30:00 -04003 Tips for Selling SEOSuccessfully selling SEO requires you to wrap your head around important "pain points" and goals of a prospect, and speak to that. Here are a few tips you can use to help cut through the techno-babble, relate to a prospect, and close some business.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2349339/3-tips-for-selling-seo
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2349339/3-tips-for-selling-seoMark JacksonWed, 11 Jun 2014 07:30:00 -0400Search Engine Optimization Companies: Break Google's Rules to Get Top Rankings?Google and those who do SEO for a living are always preaching the importance of doing SEO and marketing the "right" way. Yet, do a search for [search engine optimization companies] and you'll see a site breaking Google's rules that ranks No. 1.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2340096/search-engine-optimization-companies-break-googles-rules-to-get-top-rankings
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2340096/search-engine-optimization-companies-break-googles-rules-to-get-top-rankingsMark JacksonWed, 16 Apr 2014 08:30:00 -0400SEO Really is Dead, Long Live...Uh...What Should We Call This?It seems like "search" is being taken out of "search engine optimization." But perhaps search engine optimization has evolved to the point where we need to refer to it as digital marketing optimization or web presence optimization, or some new term.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2316240/seo-really-is-dead-long-liveuhwhat-should-we-call-this
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2316240/seo-really-is-dead-long-liveuhwhat-should-we-call-thisMark JacksonMon, 02 Dec 2013 09:30:00 -0500Could Bing Ever Overtake Google in Search?Google has dominated search, but Microsoft has a real opportunity to influence searcher behavior and Bing adoption through the integration of Bing search through its vast network of assets. Here's what it would take for Bing to surpass Google.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2304613/could-bing-ever-overtake-google-in-search
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2304613/could-bing-ever-overtake-google-in-searchMark JacksonMon, 04 Nov 2013 09:30:00 -0500Sitemaps & SEO: An Introductory GuideSitemaps help ensure your site is fully indexed by feeding your content to search engines – be it a standard XML, or for images, video, news, or mobile. Here's a walk-through of the initial first steps of how to create and submit your sitemaps.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2048706/the-site-map-gateway-optimization
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2048706/the-site-map-gateway-optimizationMark JacksonMon, 07 Oct 2013 08:30:00 -0400SEO Best Practices: Setting Up a BlogBlogging should be a part of any sound marketing plan. You need to create engagement and provide the ability for people to share content coming from your company. Here's how you can set yourself up to realize positive SEO results from a blog.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2049117/blogging-best-practices-for-seo
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2049117/blogging-best-practices-for-seoMark JacksonMon, 09 Sep 2013 09:30:00 -0400Vince: The Google Update We Should Be Talking AboutPanda? Penguin? No. Understanding Google's Vince update – which gave more preference to "big brands" in Google’s search results – is perhaps the most important update that you can understand, to help get your SEO programs on track.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2288128/vince-the-google-update-we-should-be-talking-about
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2288128/vince-the-google-update-we-should-be-talking-aboutMark JacksonMon, 12 Aug 2013 09:30:00 -0400In SEO, It's Not What You Do, It's How You Do ItKeeping up with the "how" is a constant effort of study, practice, tests, deep analysis, and years of experience. In the ever-evolving field of SEO, while there are many more "what to dos", knowing how to do them is ultimately what leads to success.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2281449/in-seo-its-not-what-you-do-its-how-you-do-it
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2281449/in-seo-its-not-what-you-do-its-how-you-do-itMark JacksonMon, 15 Jul 2013 09:30:00 -0400How to Report Organic Search Traffic Gains After Filtering 'Bad' TrafficSEO reporting has little to do with ranking reports. Ensuring strong analytical measurements is key to gain trust with your clients/company executives, because that transparency shows what is truly working, rather than managing based on "feelings."http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2275392/how-to-report-organic-search-traffic-gains-after-filtering-bad-traffic
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2275392/how-to-report-organic-search-traffic-gains-after-filtering-bad-trafficMark JacksonMon, 17 Jun 2013 09:30:00 -0400Search & Social Synergy: Build Buzz, Get Links, Grow Your BrandA look at where social is headed, what rightful place social has in the mix – along with PR, web design, promotional marketing, and search engine optimization – and some tactical considerations for what you may want to incorporate into your plans.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2262936/search-social-synergy-build-buzz-get-links-grow-your-brand
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2262936/search-social-synergy-build-buzz-get-links-grow-your-brandMark JacksonMon, 22 Apr 2013 09:00:00 -0400To The SEO Community: Keep Sharing, Stay HumbleHopefully we can always remember that, while there may be competition, we all work within a unique industry that is stronger because there is a common bond. We need each other. We need to continue to share our experiences and be willing to help.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2250255/to-the-seo-community-keep-sharing-stay-humble
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2250255/to-the-seo-community-keep-sharing-stay-humbleMark JacksonMon, 25 Feb 2013 05:00:00 -0500Keys to SEO: Content & User Experience – Interview With Bing’s Duane ForresterSEO is leaving behind its history of being a bunch of tactical executions and becoming more of a high-level strategic affair – one that combines good marketing with meaningful content that drives users to a web presence that is sound in usability.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2239223/keys-to-seo-content-user-experience-interview-with-bing-s-duane-forrester
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2239223/keys-to-seo-content-user-experience-interview-with-bing-s-duane-forresterMark JacksonMon, 28 Jan 2013 09:00:00 -0500How Can You Show Potential SEO Clients That You’re Trustworthy?To truly “optimize” (meaning “make it as good as it can be”), customers need to engage with someone who really does SEO for a living. So what steps should you take to show those who may be considering your company that you're worthy of trust?http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2228843/how-can-you-show-potential-seo-clients-that-you-re-trustworthy
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2228843/how-can-you-show-potential-seo-clients-that-you-re-trustworthyMark JacksonSun, 02 Dec 2012 11:00:00 -0500Website Redesign? Get Some SEO Consultation Before You LaunchWhen a company redesigns their website, it's usually for non-SEO reasons. But ignoring SEO issues during a redesign would be a big mistake. Here are some common mistakes that can happen when you're redesigning your website – and how to fix them.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2048896/website-redesign-get-some-seo-consultation-before-you-launch
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2048896/website-redesign-get-some-seo-consultation-before-you-launchMark JacksonSun, 11 Nov 2012 12:00:00 -0500Why Do Some Sites Rank Faster Than Others?SEO prospects continue to ask, “How long until I’ll see results”? As with most things in SEO, the question begs more questions: how do you measure results and success, or define ROI? It’s not a simple question. And it doesn’t have a simple answer.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2215175/why-do-some-sites-rank-faster-than-others
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2215175/why-do-some-sites-rank-faster-than-othersMark JacksonSun, 07 Oct 2012 11:00:00 -0400Selecting an SEO Firm: The What, How, and WhoWhen you're looking to hire an SEO agency or individual, look at their background. Don't hire based on how much they cost, or what they say that they will (or can) do. Hire based on their resume, their references, and their history of performance.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2067389/selecting-seo-firm-the-what-how-who
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2067389/selecting-seo-firm-the-what-how-whoMark JacksonSun, 09 Sep 2012 11:00:00 -0400Why I Talk Most Folks Out of SEO ProjectsLet’s all do our part by walking away from business that we shouldn’t take. Those SEO jobs where there is no real ROI for business owners. Let’s commit ourselves to being honest about expectations and the work necessary to see results.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2198225/why-i-talk-most-folks-out-of-seo-projects
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2198225/why-i-talk-most-folks-out-of-seo-projectsMark JacksonMon, 13 Aug 2012 07:00:00 -04007 Habits of Highly Effective SEOProper SEO efforts need to be worked on a regular basis to realize the types of gains that can deliver really solid, long-lasting and “optimized” (optimal) results. These are the seven key ingredients that go into an ongoing SEO effort.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2191663/7-habits-of-highly-effective-seo
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2191663/7-habits-of-highly-effective-seoMark JacksonMon, 16 Jul 2012 09:00:00 -0400Proper SEO and the Robots.txt FileWhen optimizing a website, don't disregard the power of robots.txt. Learn how to properly implement robots.txt to avoid search ranking problems and damaging your business, as well as how to correctly disallow search engine crawling.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2064412/proper-seo-robotstxt-file
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2064412/proper-seo-robotstxt-fileMark JacksonSun, 17 Jun 2012 11:00:00 -0400Google & Link Schemes - Several Shades of GrayWhat Google says about link schemes is important to understand. Understanding the gray area between what Google says and what (currently) works is a different matter. This post examines each of the examples of link schemes provided by Google.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2178497/google-link-schemes-shades-gray
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2178497/google-link-schemes-shades-grayMark JacksonTue, 22 May 2012 05:00:00 -0400Building a Good Link Profile: Measure Twice, Cut OnceEveryone’s link building plan should be unique. Don’t just look at link building as a tactical affair. You need to analyze your particular situation, devise a strategy, and then lay out the tactics that will help to get you where you want to be.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2169465/building-link-profile-measure-twice-cut
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2169465/building-link-profile-measure-twice-cutMark JacksonSun, 22 Apr 2012 12:00:00 -0400How Google ‘Handles’ SEO: My Beef With Matt CuttsGoogle can’t replace SEO. Google still needs SEO to push forward the message that companies need to produce quality content, make that content accessible and promote that content, so that it can earn the right to appear in the major search engines.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2163423/google-handles-seo-beef-matt-cutts
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2163423/google-handles-seo-beef-matt-cuttsMark JacksonSun, 25 Mar 2012 11:00:00 -0400Tools to Help SEOs With ADD Get Work DoneA vast majority of SEOs believe they “suffer” from ADD. After all, SEOs are being asked to do a lot. Today, many tools are available to help folks organize their SEO work, so that ideas result in action items which (hopefully) result in results.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2155167/tool-help-seos-add
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2155167/tool-help-seos-addMark JacksonSun, 26 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0500Reach and Frequency: SEO Secret to Brand Building on Google?SEO has reached a point where you could make an argument that some traditional metrics of building a brand should be incorporated into reporting of “success” for SEO. If you can build the brand, shouldn’t it help natural search engine rankings? http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2142065/reach-frequency-seo-secret-brand-building-google
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2142065/reach-frequency-seo-secret-brand-building-googleMark JacksonSun, 29 Jan 2012 11:00:00 -0500SEO is Both Science and ArtMore often than not, the craft of search engine optimization is truly a unique practice. SEO is often misunderstood and can be painfully difficult to staff for and is, by definition, science (experimentation) and art (keyword targeting). Here’s why.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2129924/seo-science-art
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2129924/seo-science-artMark JacksonMon, 05 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0500Back to Basics – SEO 101By employing some basic SEO (keyword research, competitive analysis, writing effective title tags), combined with good link building and pages with content that targets your most important keywords, you can see higher organic search rankings.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2123164/basics-seo-101
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2123164/basics-seo-101Mark JacksonMon, 07 Nov 2011 09:45:00 -0500SEO Pricing Models: How Much Should You Charge?SEO is unique to every website, competitive environment, client goal, and assets. It is ongoing with review and optimization. Here’s a look at how search engine optimization is priced and how you might want to consider stucturing your SEO pricing.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2115703/seo-pricing-models-charge
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2115703/seo-pricing-models-chargeMark JacksonSun, 09 Oct 2011 11:00:00 -0400Justifying the Value of SEOMany factors will determine whether SEO can drive ROI for a website. Although there are no guarantees, if done right SEO can deliver more traffic and business than paid search. Here’s what a “good ROI” looks like and a couple of helpful tools.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2108309/justifying-value-seo
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2108309/justifying-value-seoMark JacksonSun, 11 Sep 2011 11:00:00 -0400SEO Competitive Analysis – 2011 EditionSEO competitive analysis today is different than just a few years ago. The main components you need to consider when compiling an SEO competitive analysis are: top keywords, site structure, linking initiatives and authority, and social presence.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2101599/seo-competitive-analysis-2011-edition
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2101599/seo-competitive-analysis-2011-editionMark JacksonSun, 14 Aug 2011 11:00:00 -0400SEO is More Alive Than EverSEO is dead? Long live SEO! Search engine optimization is evolving, extremely dynamic, and more alive than ever. The proof: over the past 15 months or so, we’ve had more changes in Google’s algorithm than perhaps at any time in the history of SEO.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2094551/seo-alive
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2094551/seo-aliveMark JacksonSun, 17 Jul 2011 08:00:00 -0400My Love-Hate Relationship with SEOI love search engine optimization. It works. It can provide a lot of value and I'm a strong supporter/evangelist of the practice of SEO. At the same time, the process of gaining new business and hiring new talent sometimes makes me hate my job. http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2080028/love-hate-relationship-seo
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2080028/love-hate-relationship-seoMark JacksonMon, 20 Jun 2011 07:00:00 -0400Do The Right SEO Thing... Or Not?http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2072762/seo
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2072762/seoMark JacksonMon, 23 May 2011 09:00:00 -0400The SEO Panda Prescription: Think Like GoogleIf you constantly chase algorithms, you'll always be reacting to changes. To get in front of the numerous search engine algorithm changes each year and build a presence that should stand the test of time, think: "if I were Google..."http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2066272/the-seo-panda-prescription-think-like-google
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2066272/the-seo-panda-prescription-think-like-googleMark JacksonSun, 24 Apr 2011 09:01:00 -0400The Difference Between Black Hat SEO and Bad SEOThe safest way to build up trust/links for your website is to create good, unique, resourceful/helpful content, promote via social channels, and try to win links the "white hat" way.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2067445/the-difference-between-black-hat-seo-bad-seo
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/opinion/2067445/the-difference-between-black-hat-seo-bad-seoMark JacksonSun, 27 Feb 2011 12:01:00 -050010 Types of Helpful SEO ContentForget algorithms. The biggest influence on search rankings is content. Content in all of its forms is what will drive you to success.http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2065356/10-types-of-helpful-seo-content
http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/news/2065356/10-types-of-helpful-seo-contentMark JacksonSun, 13 Feb 2011 09:01:00 -0500